Stop motion device



Sept. 14, 1943. 5 VOSSEN 2,329,427

STOP MOTION DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l gnwzil IN VENTOR.

DWERD I/msm/ BY v H T TORNEX Sept. 14, 1943. voss 2,329,427

STOP MOTION DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

5 We 0555M mrok EX Patented Sept. 14, 1943' STOP MOTION DEVICE EdwardVossen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Stop- Motion Devices Cor-1).,Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 6, 1943,Serial No. 474,963

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stop controldevices particularly intended for knitting machines or other machineshaving, when operating, moving yarn and controllers for stopping saidmachines.

The purpose of the invention is to have the stop control device actuatethe controller to stop the machine when the yarn moving through themachine is knotted, entangled, or defective to the extent of having anenlarged portion. If the machine is not stopped timely the knotted, en-

tangled or defective portion reaches the needles of the machine, bendingor breaking them and placing undue stress on various parts of themachine, particularly the adjustment and tension portions thereof.

The dominating feature of this invention resides in the construction ofa stop control device for machines of the type specified capable ofactuating the controller of the machine without materially changing thetension of the moving yarn. There are several types of prior stopcontrol devices which embody deficiencies eliminated by this newinvention. In one prior type of device the moving yarn is stopped deadin its tracks. This is almost as bad as aliowing the knotted, entangledor defective portion to reach the needles of the machine. When movingyarn is suddenly stopped, and the machine continues turning over due toits momentum, strains will be communicated to the needles, bending orbreaking the same, and to the various other parts of the machine. Theyarn being stopped dead in its tracks while traveling, usually snapsapart (breaks) right at the needles where the strain is greatest. Thisresults in a press-off, i. e. the cloth leaves the needles and'themachine becomes inoperative. To make it operative the cloth must he hungon again, needle to needle. The average machine has over 1000 needles.The time lost is very evident. Furthermore, sudden stopping of the yarnchanges its tension and causes the machine to knit a defective portionbefore it comes to a stop. The portion is defective if the yarn is tootight.

Another type of prior device works on the principle of dropping the yarnwhen the tension of the yarn increases above a predetermined amount. inthese devices it is calculated that when a knotted or entangled portionreaches a guide hole or porcelain eyelet, or other portion of themachine and increases the tension, that the machine should be stoppedand the yarn is suddenly stopped and dropped. However, such dropping ofthe yarn produces a slack which in turn affects the knitting operation,producing a. defective section knitted material. The slack yarn fallsdown on the working parts of the machine and becomes tangled andtwisted.Furthermore, in these devices due to slight changes in the adjustment ofthe machine and the stop control device, a time is reached when the yarnkeeps dropping and causing the actuation of the stop control device eventhough nothing is wrong. This wastes the time of an operator who mustinvestigate the cause of stoppage of the machine. When he can findnothing wrong he merely restarts the machine.

A very important feature of this invention resides in the fact that thenew stop control device will reliably function without materiallyaffecting the speed of travel of the yarn or its tension. For thisreason there will be no undue strain on the needles of the knittingmachine or other machine, or other parts thereof.

It is an object of this invention to construct a stop control device asmentioned which is characterized by a lever having an open endrestricted passage for the yarn to pass through and movably mounted tomove away from the yarn when an obstruction on the yam moves said lever,to cause said obstruction to relatively move out of the open end of saidrestricted passage. It is proposed that said lever be of sectionsadjustable for any weight or size of yarn the machine may use. With thisconstruction the knotted yarn is not suddenly arrested, in fact, it isnot even slightly retarded since the invention contemplates to load thelever very lightly. Therefore, no undue strains will be communicated bythe yarn to the knitting needles or other parts of the knitting or othermachine.

Furthermore, the invention proposes to associate a means for operatingthe controller for stopping the knitting or other machine when the levermentioned in the previous paragraph is moved as specified.

The invention contemplates a particularly simple and eflicientconstruction for the means referred to in the previous paragraph.

Another object of the invention resides in providing guide means forfreely guiding the yarn which is moving longitudinally relative toitself through the said open end restricted passage in the lever.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of simple,effective means for adjustably loading the lever with a resistingpressure so that it will be moved only in the event that a knotted,entangled or defective section of yarn reaches the lever.

More specifically, the invention contemplates pivotally mounting thelever previously referred to, and mounting it so that it is pivotal tomove Another object of the invention resides in providing a latchingmeans (only if .desired) for catching and holding the lever in its movedposition so as to keep the electric circuit closed, so that the levermust be released (manually) before the knitting or other machine can berestarted.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a stop control device embodying thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,with certain parts broken away to disclose the interior construction.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts in adifferent position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal enlarged sectional View taken on theline 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a stop control device constructedin accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig". l is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 6 but illustratingthe parts in a diiferent position.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55-5 of Fig. 8.

The stop contrcl device for a knitting machine or other machine havingmoving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping said machine,in accordance with the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5inclusive, ineludes guide means generally indicated by reference numerali l, for freely guiding the yarn H of said knitting machine or othermachine, which yarn moves longitudinally relative to itself. A lever i2is used in conjunction with said guide means Iii. This lever is acompound lever composed oI a pair of spaced sections l3 and I. Thiscompound lever i2 has an open end restricted passage I5 for the yarn IIto pass through. The lever i2 is movably mounted to move in thedirection of the moving yarn, indicated by the small arrow A, and awayfrom the yarn when an obstruction on the yarn moves against said leverto cause said obstruction to relatively move out of the open end of saidrestricted passage [5. In Fig. 4 an obstruction I6 is shown on the yarnH and is shown as having engaged and partially moved the lever l2. Itshould be noted that the lever i2 is pivoting upwards and that uponfurther upward motion of the yarn ii the obstruction IE will move pastthe lever l2 and out from the open end restricted passage i5. There isalso means for operating the controller of the knitting or other machineupon said motion of the lever l2 to sop said machine. This means will bemore fully described as this specification proceeds.

The stop control device is provided with a body l8 which is in thenature of a box having a removable cover IS. The guide means I0comprises a strip of metal bent so as to have parallel top and bottomportions 20 and 2i, respectively. Said strip of metal has its endportions attached to the body l8. The top and bottom portions 20 and 2|,respectively, are formed with openings through which large eyelets 22are mounted. The yarn I i passes through these eyelets 22. These eyeletsare of large enough size so that obstructions which may form on the yarnll may freely pass through the eyelets without causing any increase inthe tension of the yarn. The lever I2 is mounted on a spindle 23 whichis turnably mounted on the body I6. The sections 1 3 and I l of the saidlever I2 have tubular inner end portions 24 which engage the spindle 23.Set screws 25 engage through these tubular portions 24 and serve tofixedly mount the sections of the lever I 2 on the said spindle 23. Therestricted passage I5 of the lever l2 may be varied by loosening the setscrews 25 and moving the sections l3 and H of the lever towards or awayfrom each other. In this way the stop control device may be adjusted toyarns of different diameters.

Adjustable means is provided for loading said lever l2 with a resistingpressure so that should the yarn l i touch against the side portions ofthe passage IS, the lever will not accidentally move and set ofi thestop control device. This adjustable means includes an arm 26 fixedlymounted on the spindle 23, and located within the body i8. One end ofthe arm 25 normally engages a peg 21 projecting from one wall of thebody [6. The other end of the arm 26 is connected with a tension spring28 which is connected by a small pin 29 with the periphery of a smalldrum 30. This drum 30 is mounted on a rod 3! which is mounted on andpasses through one wall of the body it. The outer end of the rod 3| isprovided with a head 32 by which it may be turned. ,A friction washer 33is mounted on the rod 3! and acts between one side of the drum 36 andthe adjacent face of the wall of the body I8. This friction washer holdsthe drum 36 in a fixed position. The tension of the spring 26 may beincreased by turning the head 32 with a pair of pliers or other tool tocause a portion of the spring 28 to wind on the drum 30. The tension ofthe spring 28 may be cut down by turning the head 32 back again tounwind the spring 23.

The means for operating the controller of the knitting or other machinepreviously referred to includes a relatively stationary contact arm 3|which is insulated from and supported on one wall of the body l8 by asuitable terminal 32. An electric wire 33 is connected with thisterminal and is for the purpose of being connected with the electriccircuit of the controller. The contact arm 3! has an oflset end portion3la against which the adjacent end of the arm 26 will sweep when thelever 12 is moved by an obstruction on the yarn l i. Thus the arm 26acts as a complementary contact arm for engaging the relativelystationary contact arm 3| to complete the circuit. The arm 26 isgrounded to the body l8 which in turn is grounded in relation to thecontroller. A fastening screw 35 is mounted on the top of the body l6 bywhich the body may be supported on a rod or other ground of thecontrpller.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The yam ll comes oil from the cone-shaped spool or other supply of yarnto the knitting or other machine, and passes through the eyelets 22 andthrough the passage I5. The knitting machine operates in the usual way.However, when an obstruction on the yarn ll comes along, such as theobstruction l6 illustrated in Fig. 4, it strikes against the lever I2pivoting the lever upwards and away from the yarn. spring 28 is a verylight spring the moving yarn II will not be materially interfered withand it will keep moving at the speed at which it was moving before theobstruction engaged and lifted the lever I2. Soon the obstruction 16 hasfully lifted the lever l2 and has passed up and through the top eyelet22.

However, when the lever l 2 was lifted the contact arm 26 swept againstthe offset end 3la of the contact 3|, closing an electric circuit to thecontroller for actuating the controller, which in turn stops theknitting machine. It should be noted that the knitting or other machinewas immediately stopped when the obstruction l6 moved the lever l2.However, the lever i2 did not materially interfere with the motion ofthe yarn H, nor did any other portion of the stop control device. Onlyafter the controller of the knitting machine was actuated did the yarnstop moving. The stop control device must be located a suilicientdistance from the needles of the knitting machine so that theobstruction i6 has not as yet reached them.

The operator investigates the obstruction and cuts it out and joins theyarn with a knitters knot which can easily pass the needles and otherparts of the knitting machine. The knitting inachine is then ready to berestarted.

In Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, a modified form of the invention has beendisclosed which is substantially identical to the prior form,distinguishing merely in the fact that latch means 38 is asso- I ciatedwith the stop control device for catching and holding the lever in itsmoved position. Furthermore, the stop control device itself is of aslightly different design than the prior form to illustrate that variousembodiments of the invention may be made.

This stop control device includes a body 40 supporting guide means it):or the yarn ll. This body is provided with a screw 35 by which it may beattached to a support rod. The guide means in is provided with the topand bottom portions 20 and 2i, respectively, which in turn are providedwith the eyelets 22 for guiding the yarn H. A lever 41 composed ofadjacent side sections 42 and 43 are mounted on a strip 44, which inturn is supported on a spindle 45 turnably mounted on the body 40. Thelever 4| is provided with an open end restricted passage 46 throughwhich the yarn ll passes. The section 42 of the lever is fixedly mountedon the strip 44. The section 43 is adjustably mounted by a slot andclamp screw means 41. This adjustable mounting permits a variation ofthe width of the restricted passage 46. The strip 44 is fixedlyconnected with the spindle 45. The spindle 45 is provided with an arm 48located within the body 40. A stop screw 49 limits pivoting of the arm48 in one direction. A tension spring 50 connects with the arm 48 andnormally urges it against the stop screw 49. The other end of the spring50 connects with the periphery of a drum 5| which is held in variouspositions by a friction washer 52. The drum 5| is mounted on a rod 53provided with an external head 54 by which the drum may be turned toadjust the tension of the spring 50/ The arm 48 acts like a radialcontact arm and is cooperative with a relatively stationary contact arm56 c0mp1ementary to the contact arm 48 for controlling the electriccircuit which oper- Because the- 'ates the controller. The contact arm58 is connected and supported by a terminal 51 which is insulated fromand mounted on the body 40.

The latching means 38 is in the form of a ravity actuated lever 59 whichis pivotally mounted at one end by a pintle' 60. This lever 59 has akeeper cutout 61 which is cooperative with an edge of the strip 44 whichacts like a bolt element. The construction is such that when the lever4| pivots upwards the strip 44 engages the keeper opening 6! and isrestrained from moving back. However, the lever 59 may be manuallygripped and pivoted upwards to move the keeper opening 6| free from thestrip 44, which then releases the lever 4!.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

When an obstruction on the yarn ll, such as the obstruction l6, strikesthe lever M ii; pivots the lever upwards from the horizontal positionshown in Fig. 6. A time is soon reached when the lever 4| has pivoted asuilicient distance so that the obstruction i6 passes out of the openend of the restricted passage 46. The lever 4! is then freed and maydrop a slight distance until the keeper opening 6i catches the edges ofthe strip 44 holding it in an elevated position.

In the elevated position of the lever M the contact arm 48 was moved sothat it engaged the contact arm 56, closing the circuit to thecontroller. The dot and dash lines 48 in Fig. 9 illustrates the latterposition of the contact arm.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previousform and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United 7 States Letters Patent is:

l. A stop control. device for a knitting machine or other machine havingmoving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping said machine,comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a lever having an open end restrictedpassage for said yarn to pass through and movably mounted to move awayfrom said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn moves said lever to causesaid obstruction to relatively move out of said open end of saidrestricted passage, and means for operating said controller upon saidmotion of said lever to stop said machine, said lever having sidesections spaced from each other and forming said open end restrictedpassage, and means for relatively adjusting said side sections to varythe width of said restricted passage.

2. A stop control device for a knitting machine or other machine havingmoving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping said machine,comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a lever having an open end restrictedpassage for said yarn to pass through and movably mounted to move awayfrom said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn moves said lever to causesaid obstruction to relatively move out of said open end of saidrestricted passage, adjustable means for loading said lever with a.

resisting pressure, and means for operating said controller upon saidmotion 01 said lever to stop said machine, said adjustable meansincluding a drum, friction means for holding said drum in various turnedpositions, and a spring having one end connected with said drum by whichthe spring may be tensioned.

3. In a stop control device for a knitting machine or other machinehaving moving yarn when-operating and a controller for stopping saidmachine, a body, guide means mounted on said body for freely guidingyarn which is moving longitudinally relative to itself, a lever havingan open end restricted passage for said yarn to pass through and movablymounted on said body to move away from said yarn when an obstruction onthe yarn moves said lever to cause said obstruction to relatively moveout of said open end of said restricted passage, and means for operatingsaid controller upon said motion or said lever to stop said machine,said body being in the nature of a box or container, and adjustablemeans for loading said lever with a resisting pressure located withinsaid container.

4. In a stop control device for a knitting machine or other machinehaving moving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping saidmachine, a body, guide means mounted on said body for freely guidingyarn which is moving longi-i tudinally relative to itself, a leverhaving an open end restricted passage for said yarn to pass through andmovably mounted on said body to move away from said yarn when anobstruction on the yarn moves said lever to cause said obstruction "torelatively move out of said open end of said restricted passage, andmeans for operating said controller upon said motion or said lever tostop said machine, said body being in the nature of a box or container,and adjustable means for loading said lever with a resisting pressurelocated within said container, said means for operating said controllerincluding contact arms located within said container.

5. In a stop control device for r knitting machine or other machinehaving moving yam when operating and acontroller for stopping saidmachine, comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relatively tc itoeli, a pivotally mounted lever having anopen end restricted passage for said yam to pass through and pivotal tomove away from said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn strikes andmoves said lever to cause said obstruction to relatively move out ofsaid open end of said restricted passage, and means for operating saidcontroller upon said motion of said lever to stop said machine,comprising a spindle connected with and turned by said lever, a radialcontact arm mounted on said spindle, a relatively stationary contact armcomplementary to said radial contact arm for controlling an electriccircuit to operate said controller.

6. In a stop control device for a knitting machine or other machinehaving moving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping saidmachine, comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a pivotally mounted lever having anopen end restricted passage for said yarn when an obstruction on theyarn strikes and moves said lever to cause said obstruction torelatively move out of said open end of said restricted passage, andmeans for operating said controller upon said motion of said lever tostop said machine, comprising a spindle connected with and turned bysaid lever, a radial contact arm mountedon said spindle, a relativelystationary contact arm complementary to said radial contact' arm forcontrolling an electric circuit to operate said controller, said contactarms having a relative sweeping action when engaging each other.

7. A stop control device for a knitting machine or other machine havingmoving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping said machine,comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a lever having an open end restrictedpassage for said yarn to pass through and movably mounted to move awayfrom said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn moves said lever to causesaid obstruction to relatively move out of said open end of saidrestricted passage, means for operating said controller upon said motionof said lever to sop said machine, and latching means for catching andholding said lever in its latter position.

8. In a stop control device for a knitting ma chine or other machinehaving moving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping saidmachine, comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a pivotally mounted lever having anopen end restricted passage for said yarn to pass through and pivotal tomove away from said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn strikes andmoves over said lever to cause said obstruction to relatively move outof said open end of said restricted passage, means for operating saidcontroller upon said motion of said lever to stop said machine, andlatching means for catching and holding said lever in its latterposition.

9. A stop control device for a knitting ma chine or other machine havingmoving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping said machine,comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a lever having an open end restrictedpassage for said yarn to pass through and movably mounted to move awayfrom said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn moves said lever to causesaid obstruction to relatively move out of said open end of saidrestricted passage, means for operating said controller upon said motionof said lever to stop said machine, and latching means for catching andholding said lever in its latter position, said latching means includinga pivotally mounted lever manually movable for releasing the latchingmeans.

10. In a stop control device for a knitting machine or other machinehaving moving yarn when operating and a controller for stopping saidmachine, comprising guide means for freely guiding yarn which is movinglongitudinally relative to itself, a pivotally mounted lever having anopen end restricted passage for said yarn to pass through and pivotal tomove away from said yarn when an obstruction on the yarn strikes andmoves over said lever to cause said obstruction to relatively move outof said open end of said restricted passage, means for operating saidcontroller upon said motion of said lever to stop said machine, andlatching means for catching and holding said lever in its latterposition, including a pivotally mounted lever for manually releasing thelatching means.

EDWARD VOSSEN.

